Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Mischief of the Mistletoe - 7th in the Pink Carnation series
Author: Lauren Willig
Publisher: Dutton
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-23477-3
Release Date: November 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical (Mystery) Fiction
Year/Setting: 1803/Bath, England
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Negligible/Minimal
Lauren's Website/Blog: www.laurenwillig.com
Dear Readers:
With the release of this, the newest book in the Pink Carnation series, Christmas most assuredly came early for this reviewer. I fell into extreme "fandom" with Lauren Willig when the very first book of this series, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, arrived on my doorstep. Ever since that very first story, I have fallen head over heels in love with the characters that she has brought into my world.
For this book, I was so thrilled that the story revolved around Reginald Fitzhugh (A.K.A. Turnip). He is absolutely the most beloved character in this series, reminding me wholeheartedly of Mr. Bingley in the wonderful Pride & Prejudice. He’s so funny, moderately bumbling, but with the biggest heart that any man, woman, child, or goat could ever have.
We begin in Bath in 1803, where Arabella Dempsey (a good friend of Jane Austen’s) has left the employ of her rich Aunt Osborne now that her aunt has married a man half her age who actually flirted with Arabella most of the time. Thankfully, before she made a huge mistake, Arabella realized that he was simply after money and most certainly not love. When she leaves her aunt and her aunt’s new hubby, she comes back home to Bath. Her three sisters and her frail father have no place for Arabella in their lives’ and she wants desperately, as the eldest, to be able to offer her sisters at least the chance at a good education. What she does is takes a job as a teacher at Miss Climpson’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies in order to make some money, secure lodging, and hopefully help her sisters with their future prospects.
On the very first day, she runs into – literally – Reginald Fitzhugh, who is at the academy visiting his sister, Sally. He is extremely uncomfortable around these hordes of girls playing tiddlywinks, and wants nothing more than to rush from the building, which he does, running smack dab into Arabella who, out of nowhere, is attacked for a Christmas pudding that she’s holding in her hands. Apparently someone desperately wants the wrapper that surrounds this Christmas goodie and is willing to hurt anyone to get it.
All of a sudden Arabella and Reginald find themselves locked in a strange mystery that involves messages being passed between spies, as well as a missing "sensitive" document that many "bad guys" think is in the hands of Arabella. From the school; to a fair that reminds one of Medieval Times; to a Christmas extravaganza that has guests from all types of backgrounds including evil French spies from Bonaparte’s world, these two fun characters get together and work as the ultimate private investigation team.
There is never a dull moment in this book, and there are scenes such as a Christmas theatrical show put on by the Academy, that made me laugh so hard I literally cried. And the thoughts that flow through Turnip’s mind such as, how much he is attracted to Arabella that, "…she could debone a kipper with a fish knife and he would find it seductive," that made me want to find a way to become a magician and send myself "into" this book so that I could marry this man. The story is fantastic; the characters are unforgettable; and, the dialogue so snappy and fun that Ms. Willig should be patting herself on the back for yet another job well done!
THIS is the Christmas present that should be under every reader’s tree. Enjoy!
Until next time,
Amy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Amy know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews